Reuters sources claim that Russian mercenaries have arrived in Venezuela, one of the main tasks facing them is to ensure the safety of President Maduro. How many people arrived, it is not known for certain.
It is noteworthy that this information came from two sources close to the military. The arrival of Russian mercenaries took place just the other day. A source close to PMCs confirmed that a group of mercenaries had settled in Venezuela, but he did not want to clarify when they arrived and what goals they were facing.
It is reported that 400 Russian mercenaries arrived in the rebellious South American country. But other informed sources of the agency inform that the conversation is about small groups. For the flight of these groups were involved charters, which brought them to Havana, and then on commercial flights, they got to Venezuela. The main task of Russian mercenaries is to prevent the opposition from arresting the president.
According to Reuters, these people are somehow connected with the private security complex "Wagner Group". Most of its personnel are former soldiers who secretly come out from the Russian army during hostilities in Ukraine, Syria, and other conflicts.
There is information that the military group arrived in the South American republic in May last year. That is, before the presidential election. And the second group arrived there recently.
Meanwhile, neither the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, nor the Ministry of Information of Venezuela gave answers to the questions of journalists. A spokesman for the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, said that he did not have such information.
Incomprehensible activity of Russian aviation
Reuters, referring to information received from Internet resources involved in tracking the movement of air transport, reported that in recent weeks, either in Venezuela or in neighboring countries, aircraft, including those belonging to the Russian government, landed. For example, the IL-76, which made the flight from Moscow, while making intermediate landing in Senegal and Paraguay. The agency reports that this aircraft belongs to one of the divisions of the Russian administration.
In addition, from 10 to 14 December 2018, two Russian transport aircraft, the An-124 and Il 76, flew from Moscow to Caracas, and another Il was at that time in Caracas. All this equipment is part of the Russian Air Force.
Not so long ago, the media have already said that Gulfstream G550 (GLF5) aircraft was expected to land in Caracas, it is owned by Ciner Hava Tasimaciligi Airlines. This company provides private flights. However, the Russian ambassador to Venezuela refutes the data on the visit of Russian aircraft.
Russian Ambassador to Venezuela Vladimir Zaemsky called these messages a duck. He also said that he had no idea about the presence of Russian private military companies in Venezuela.
In recent days, mass unrest against President Maduro erupted in this republic. As part of these protests, on January 23, the opposition leader, he is the speaker of the National Assembly (as the parliament in this country is called), Juan Guaydo, took a symbolic oath and called himself the president of the interim government.
A number of states, including the USA, recognized him as the legitimate leader of the country. President Maduro, in response to the actions of the American government, broke off diplomatic relations with the United States and called the actions of the Americans an attempt to carry out a coup d'état. To all, he refused to resign from his post as president.
The Russian Federation did not recognize Guaido as the leader of Venezuela. During all these events, a telephone conversation took place between the presidents of Venezuela and Russia. V. Putin stated that interference by third countries in the affairs of Venezuela grossly violates international law and expressed support for the authorities of this state from Russia. A little later, the Kremlin said that during the conversation Maduro did not turn to V. Putin for help.
Russian Prime Minister D. Medvedev, called the events taking place in Venezuela, "quasi-turnaround", which is synchronously supported by some states, as if by command.
After some time, Moscow made a statement that it was ready to assume the functions of an intermediary in negotiations between the Venezuelan authorities and the opposition. In addition, she expressed willingness to cooperate with all political forces that are ready for productive interaction.
Moscow is ready to use its authority to establish a dialogue between the parties to the conflict in Venezuela.
